A group of mainly landmine victims visited the Spanish capital, part of an initiative led by Father Figaredo, known as the bishop of the wheelchairs, backed by the Apostolic Prefecture, the NGO Sauce, and the Fundación Real Madrid. The event is a testament to “friendships that transcend borders”.
As Kuala Lumpur prepares to host the most important ASEAN summit in recent years on October 26, Malaysia has announced the construction of a 50-kilometer barrier in the state of Kelantan to combat criminal trafficking from Thailand. And the princess of Bangkok is donating funds for a wall on the border with Cambodia.
The South Korean government has banned travel to some Cambodian provinces following the killing of a young South Korean abducted and forced to work in an online scam centre. A South Korean delegation has asked Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to repatriate its citizens still held in the compounds, while the US and the UK have imposed sanctions on Chen Zhi's Prince group, accused of links to criminal networks, which, despite Phnom Penh's statements, continue to thrive in Cambodia.
At the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October, Malaysia wants to secure a lasting ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. But the border dispute is also fuelled by the issue of online scam centres. Bangkok blames Phnom Penh for tolerating illegal activities and demands scam centres be dismantled as a condition for peace. Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Anutin is stoking nationalism for domestic consumption ahead of upcoming elections.
Thailand’s National Security Council laid down the principles to manage the border crisis with Cambodia. Concerns remain over Chinese military support for Phnom Penh, even though Beijing downplays the issue. The murderer of Lim Kimya, a former Cambodian lawmaker who opposed Hun Sen, has been sentenced to life in prison. The reasons for the act are still unknown.
Despite the 10 September agreement in Koh Kong to reduce tensions, the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border remains unsettled. Bangkok is considering applying economic pressure, while mutual accusations continue over online scam centres favoured by Cambodia, which seeks to minimise the consequences of the armed conflict that broke out on 24 July. A recent media investigation found that at least 50 Cambodian soldiers were killed in the fighting.
The ASEAN-brokered ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia appears to be holding despite Thai military reports of fresh Cambodian violations. More than 300,000 people have been forced to flee their homes. US tariffs on both countries and the political crisis in Bangkok hover in the background. The Constitutional Court's ruling on suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is expected on 4 August, with the potential of changing the balance of power between the civilian government and the military establishment.
The announcement was made in Malaysia, where Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar read a statement in the presence of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. A new cross-border committee meeting is set for 4 August to consolidate the agreement. Archbishop Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok warns against exploiting “historical complexities” to “incite nationalist sentiment and divert public attention from domestic issues”.
In a message on behalf of the small Catholic community in Cambodia regarding the ongoing fighting with Thailand, Monsignor Olivier Schmitthaeusler calls for respect for international law and invites all parishes to pray that the leaders will find a “friendly, sustainable, and just” solution. Cross accusations continue between the two countries, while missiles have also rained down on Laos. Over 30 people have been killed and 200,000 displaced.
The Malaysian prime minister talks about a ceasefire, but the two sides continue to accuse each other as the death toll and the number of displaced mount. The border drawn by the French in 1907 and the subsequent fate of the temples of Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom provide an easy pretext for nationalism, which serves to cover up other tensions on both sides. But the disputed area has also been a crossroads of criminal activity for 50 years.
Cambodia accuses Thailand of opening fire. The territorial dispute once again involves the area around the Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear temples. Since late May, tensions between the two Southeast Asian countries have increased, both of which are also grappling with domestic issues. China has offered to mediate.
Three Thai soldiers were injured while patrolling the border with Cambodia. Bangkok accuses Phnom Penh of planting new anti-personnel mines, in violation of the Ottawa Convention, while the Cambodian government claims the device that exploded is from the Vietnam War era. The incident highlights the renewed interest in these devices. Despite years of efforts and thousands of civilian casualties, Cambodia has postponed until 2030 its goal of becoming mine-free, a situation made worse by cuts in US cooperation funding.
As border posts along the 800-kilometre border remain effectively closed, Cambodia announced the introduction of compulsory military service in 2026. The domestic situation in the two countries is fuelling the dispute, as both face strong nationalist headwinds and militaries with extensive interests and power. Thailand’s highest court announced that it will rule on Thaksin Shinawatra on 22 August.
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